Has Benedict Cumberbatch Been Cast In 'STAR WARS: EPISODE VII?'

It's Monday and Labor Day, so it's only natural a hot Star Wars story is cast out for us to obsess over. So how does this latest rumor sit with you folks? Benedict Cumberbatch has been cast in Star Wars: Episode VII.

That's the latest word around town, according to a report from Film Chronicles. The popular Sherlock star is set to re-team with his Star Trek Into Darkness director J.J. Abrams in a role yet to be revealed. His casting announcement is reportedly imminent. It should be noted that Cumberbatch recently and unexpectedly dropped out of Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak with no official reason given. Peak and Episode VII are slated to film at the same time, which would mean picking one or the other.

NOTHING has been confirmed for any of the cast yet. We are all still assuming that Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher are on board (though there has been more than enough smoke for that fire to say it's a foregone conclusion they will return to their iconic roles). Scant info has been leaked about Abrams' Star Wars, except for the unconfirmed search for seven leads, some of whom are presumably the offspring of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Leia Organa. Rachel Hurd-Wood (Solomon Kane) and Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four) have been thrown into that rumor mill.

Cumberbatch may be out of that age range to play the next generation of Solos or Skywalkers with the film set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, but he could easily knock it out of the ball park as the latest red lightsaber wielding Sith Lord. Whether he's up for another villain role after Into Darkness remains to be seen, but I have little doubt he could bring the same perfect chilling face and voice of evil to Star Wars. Cumberbatch is also a fan favorite across the board, so I wouldn't anticipate any backlash of Affleck proportions if this were to prove true.

In May while chatting up Star Trek Into Darkness, he had this to say regarding conversations with Abrams about a potential Star Wars role with Total Film:

“I’ve already asked him if I can be a lightsaber and we’re in talks - about whirring sounds and the rates for the lights and everything [laughs]." 

“I thought, ‘Yeah, I grew up with them,’ and I just looked recently at when they were released and now I’m like, ‘No, I didn’t grow up with them, I was born with them.’ They were a huge part of my background, and my upbringing." 

“I was much more connected to [Star Wars] as a kid, in the way that a lot of kids are because it’s immediate storytelling, very simple - a beautifully, outrageously simple narrative in a way - and a wonderful three-act melodrama, opera. And I loved them. I really, really loved those films and I always wanted to be Han Solo. Everything Harrison Ford did I just thought was the coolest thing ever - Raiders Of The Lost Ark was very much my upbringing as well."

“What I realized with the reboot of Star Trek in 2009 is that I had a residual love and empathy for these characters because I felt really, giddily sentimental about them getting back together, and this origin story. So Star Trek seeds a little deeper for most people, it’s a little bit more mature - it doesn’t take itself too seriously though, it’s very humorous and fast-paced and imaginative and fun." 

“But I think the serious things that really kind of get you… that comes from good characters, really well drawn characters that have fantastically rich relationships and really interesting meat in the stories.

“They may be set in space but they dealt with every kind of discussion or morality play, or debate about race or purpose and place and identity, and what it is to belong, and the human condition, and that’s its enduring appeal. I’m backtracking a bit but what I’m saying is my fervour for Trek was there, I just didn’t realize it. I was an out-and-out kid running around with a lightsaber wanting to fly the Millennium Falcon but I think I’m growing into being a Trekkie, if that makes sense.”

As with just about everything to do with this film, only official news is official news. Does this story have enough merit to pan out? Or do we throw in on the pile to keep company with that silly Ryan Gosling rumor? We can speculate till the twin suns set. But so far the people involved on the record are the director, producers, screenwriter, and composer.

More to come soon...

SOURCES: Film Chronicles, Total Film, Bleeding Cool

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

Jimmy Kimmel Hits Another Late Night 'Star Wars' Sketch Home Run With J.J. Abrams

Jimmy Kimmel Live! made a Star Wars splash with last month's sketch involving guest Harrison Ford taking audience questions regarding the upcoming Episode VII. It had some funny moments and even re-united the galaxy's best loved duo of scoundrels.

J.J. Abrams appeared last night to promote Star Trek Into Darkness, and talk obviously found its way towards the director's next big undertaking, the next film to take place in a galaxy far far away. The segment features fan suggestions, surprise appearances by sci-fi icons, and look closely for Fandango's movie guru Dave Karger who had a prime seat in the audience.

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

Lucasfilm Ends Production on Cartoon Network's 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'

Lucasfilm announced today that production on Star Wars: The Clone Wars will be discontinued, having run on Cartoon Network for five seasons. When Disney purchased Star Wars from George Lucas, it was widely assumed that the CGI show's days on Cartoon Network were numbered, and would eventually switch to air on Disney XD instead. The announced actual end, or 'winding down' of the show does come somewhat as a surprise, though as stated in the press and video release, there is still a future planned for the characters, story arcs and completed animation they already have in the can. Additionally, Lucasfilm Animation has plans for a new series set in a yet untouched time frame in the Star Wars universe.

Lucasfilm is evidently putting all its resources to production on the next wave of Star Wars films, the first being Episode VII targeted to hit theaters in 2015 under the direction of J.J. Abrams. Disney axed the scheduled conversions and re-releases of Episodes II-VI in 3D and now the Lucasfilm animation department will also adjust its workload accordingly. This could mean that characters introduced in The Clone Wars series could potentially pop up in the next trilogy or could be groomed for separate spin-offs.

The recent Clone Wars fifth season finale left an uncertain, yet unexpected open door future for Anakin Skywalker's Jedi Padawan Ohsoka Tano, who would be an ideal popular character to use in the future to target the female demographic. Since all of the Jedi Knights except Obi Wan Kenobi and Yoda have perished by the time Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope rolls around, Ohsoka's unaddressed final fate (as of now) leaves her free to possibly join in other adventures.

At the end of the video below, a teaser clip is included for what is still to come. Work on the series had obviously been well in place by the time Disney acquired Lucasfilm much less the decision to end the series. The action packed clip foreshadows Emperor Palpatine's Order 66 from Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, which put in motion the Clone Troopers planned annihilation of the Jedi.

Here is the full press release from StarWars.com

"As we enter into an exciting new era focused on the next Star Wars trilogy, Lucasfilm has decided to pursue a new direction in animated programming. We are exploring a whole new Star Wars series set in a time period previously untouched in Star Wars films or television programming. You can expect more details in the months to come.
As part of this shift, we have also made some key decisions affecting Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Detours. 

After five highly successful and critically acclaimed seasons of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, we feel the time has come to wind down the series. While the studio is no longer producing new episodes for Cartoon Network, we're continuing production on new Clone Wars story arcs that promise to be some of the most thrilling adventures ever seen. Stay tuned for more information on where fans can soon find this bonus content. In the video below, Supervising Director Dave Filoni offers a peek of what is to come in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. 

At Star Wars Celebration VI last year, George Lucas gave fans a glimpse at the animated comedy series Star Wars Detours from Seth Green, Matthew Senreich, and Todd Grimes. Detours was conceived and produced before we decided to move forward with the new Star Wars trilogy, and in the wake of that decision, Lucasfilm has reconsidered whether launching an animated comedy prior to the launch of Episode VII makes sense. As a result, we've decided to postpone the release of Detours until a later date."

SOURCE: StarWars.com

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

It's OFFICIAL: Disney & Lucasfilm Confirm J.J. Abrams for 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

Millions of voices cried out over the internet on Thursday afternoon, and not in the bad way that forced Obi Wan Kenobi to take a breather. TheWrap broke the news first and faster than light the reports spread over every inch of cyber space that J.J. Abrams had sealed the deal to direct Star Wars: Episode VII. 

Via StarWars.com, Lucasfilm and Disney have made it official and confirmed that the mastermind behind Lost, Fringe, Alias, Mission: Impossible III and the captain of the rebooted big screen Star Trek series, will indeed take the helm of first film in the planned trilogy sequel to Episode VI: Return of the Jedi targeted for 2015. 

"To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor," J.J. Abrams said in a press release. "I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."

George Lucas had this say about Abrams. "I've consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He's an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn't be in better hands."

Also confirmed as a consultant on the project is Lawrence Kasdan, the screenwriter of The Empire Strikes Back. Empire is not only easily the fans choice as the best film in the Star Wars series, but also widely considered one of the greatest sequels of all time. Also noted is Abrams' production company Bad Robot will produce the film along with Disney and Lucasfilm. So you can forget about seeing the signature 20th Century Fox logo before "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" appears on the screen.

While Abrams is at the helm of the film, keep in mind the screenplay is actually being written by Academy Award Winner Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3, Little Miss Sunshine) from George Lucas' outlines. Abrams' production company joining the mix solidifies the faith Disney has with him and his vision, and will allow the director that much more creative input into the film across all platforms.

I think we can safely assume this new creative team will have better ideas than to have Jar Jar Binks lead a squadron of covert Ewok mercenaries to the destroy the now in-shambles Galactic Empire's third Death Star.

Here is the press release posted on StarWars.com:

After a bevy of emails and phone calls, the formalities have been wrapped up, and at long last everyone can exhale and properly share the word with an excited Internet. Yes, J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

"It's very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie," said Kennedy. "J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture."

George Lucas went on to say "I've consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller." He's an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn't be in better hands."

"To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor," J.J. Abrams said. "I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner."

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year's Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm's preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.

SOURCE: StarWars.com

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

J.J. Abrams To Direct 'Star Wars: Episode VII,' On Deck To Become The Most Powerful Force In Sci-Fi

If you look forward to your lightsabers served with heavy dose of lens flare, we've got some damn exciting news for you. That Death Star worthy explosion you heard on the internet this afternoon can be traced back to the news that the search for the director of Star Wars: Episode VII appears to be over.

According to multiple sources, J.J. Abrams is now poised to become the most powerful man in science fiction by adding Star Wars to his Geek God resume, apparently because Star Trek, Lost, Fringe, Mission: Impossible, and Alias, just weren't enough.

The Wrap broke the news earlier today that the prolific director, writer and producer had secured the highly sought-after job, citing a source "with knowledge of the production." While The Hollywood Reporter pinpoints Abrams in "late stage talks" for the gig, Deadline has him locked in. "It's a done deal with J.J.," their source says.

The Star Trek helmer, who took himself out of the running whenever asked, was pursued by new Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy, who obviously had a big influence in changing his mind. In November, Abrams had this to say about the chance to tackle the next chapter in the Star Wars saga, the first of Disney's three planned sequels to 1983's Episode VI: Return of the Jedi:

"Look, Star Wars is one of my favorite movies of all time. I frankly feel that – I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series. I was never a big Star Trek fan growing up, so for me, working on Star Trek didn’t have any of that, you know, almost fatal sacrilege, and so, I am looking forward more than anyone to the next iterations of Star Wars, but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer!”

To further add to the unexpected nature of today's news, Abrams told Empire Magazine that he actually turned down the job early on.

"There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to Star Trek, and also just being a fan, I wouldn't even want to be involved in the next version of those things. I declined any involvement very early on. I'd rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them."

Since Disney acquired Lucasfilm last October and simultaneously announced that Episode VII was targeted for 2015, numerous A-List directors all across Hollywood have been appropriately grilled if they would be up for the task, from Steven Spielberg, Joss Whedon, Jon Faverau, Brad Bird, David Fincher, Quentin Tarantino to yes, J.J Abrams. I even asked Peter Jackson at the junket for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey if he was either interested or available. Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class) had been gaining the most speed recently in the rumor race to the coveted director's chair, having abruptly dropped out of directing X-Men: Days of Future Past. TheWrap also reports that Ben Affleck, currently riding high on Argo and was high on WB's list for Man of Steel, had nearly made it to finish line.

However, just to put this in perspective:

THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT (YET) FROM LUCASFILM ON WHO WILL DIRECT EPISODE VII.

Despite the zillions of rumors that have surfaced in the last few months, the only thing that Lucasfilm has officially confirmed regarding Episode VII (besides that they are actually making the movie) is Academy Award Winning and Toy Story 3 screenwriter Michael Arndt is penning the script.

Yes in interviews Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford have all expressed interest in reprising their iconic roles. And by setting the film AFTER Return of the Jedi, we could (and should) assume there is a place for them to appear in the logical progression of the series' storyline, but there has been virtually nothing confirmed beyond the identity of the screenwriter.

Abrams is currently in the home stretch with his remaining production duties on Star Trek Into Darkness, the sequel to his blockbuster 2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise, which is set for release on May 17th. He would most likely need to dive right into pre-production on Star Wars, which would hopefully include booking lavish lunches with Hamill, Fisher and Ford.

It also begs the question of whom Abrams may bring to Star Wars from the top notch casts of his previous series'. Alias? Fringe? Lost? Felicity?? Keri Russell appeared in Mission: Impossible 3, and Alias' Rachel Nichols and Victor Garber both found their way into Star Trek.

Though if this all pans out, there is much excitement to be had in anticipating the first picture from the set of Mark Hamill as an elder Jedi Master, lightsaber in hand, being directed by J.J. Abrams...

Story developing, as it will every single day until the film hits theaters...

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

It's Official: The U.S. Government Will Not Fund The Construction of a Death Star

Darth Vader may find their lack of faith disturbing. As it turns out, the U.S. government will not need Bothan spies to secure secret plans from Disney to build a Death Star.

In a witty response to an online petition on We The People, the White House officially announced it will not divert the approximate $850 quadrillion in taxpayer funds to construct its own Death Star. The Galactic Empire may have had enough cash flow for undertaking two such projects, but the U.S. Defense Fund? Not so much.

We the People is an online program where U.S. citizens can create petitions intended to influence government policy. On November 14, 2012, the request to rally support regarding government funding for the Star Wars battle station was created and needed 25,000 signatures to qualify for a response. Over 34,000 people signed the petition, whose driving points consisted of:

"By focusing our defense resources into a space-superiority platform and weapon system such as a Death Star, the government can spur job creation in the fields of construction, engineering, space exploration, and more, and strengthen our national defense."

The White House statement released yesterday, written by staff strong in the Force and appropriately titled This Isn’t The Petition Response You’re Looking For, outlined the logistical reasons for the veto, including:

A.) "The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000. We're working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it. 

B.) 'The Administration does not support blowing up planets."

C.) 'Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship?'

Perhaps seeking government funds going toward the construction of The Avengers' Helicarrier might be a more reasonable request?

The full statement from Paul Shawcross, Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget can be read below:

OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE TOSecure resources and funding, and begin construction of a Death Star by 2016. 

This Isn't the Petition Response You're Looking For 

The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn't on the horizon. Here are a few reasons:

• The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000. We're working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it.
• The Administration does not support blowing up planets.
• Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship?

However, look carefully (here's how) and you'll notice something already floating in the sky -- that's no Moon, it's a Space Station! Yes, we already have a giant, football field-sized International Space Station in orbit around the Earth that's helping us learn how humans can live and thrive in space for long durations. The Space Station has six astronauts -- American, Russian, and Canadian -- living in it right now, conducting research, learning how to live and work in space over long periods of time, routinely welcoming visiting spacecraft and repairing onboard garbage mashers, etc. We've also got two robot science labs -- one wielding a laser -- roving around Mars, looking at whether life ever existed on the Red Planet.

Keep in mind, space is no longer just government-only. Private American companies, through NASA's Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office (C3PO), are ferrying cargo -- and soon, crew -- to space for NASA, and are pursuing human missions to the Moon this decade.

Even though the United States doesn't have anything that can do the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, we've got two spacecraft leaving the Solar System and we're building a probe that will fly to the exterior layers of the Sun. We are discovering hundreds of new planets in other star systems and building a much more powerful successor to the Hubble Space Telescope that will see back to the early days of the universe.

We don't have a Death Star, but we do have floating robot assistants on the Space Station, a President who knows his way around a light saber and advanced (marshmallow) cannon, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which is supporting research on building Luke's arm, floating droids, and quadruped walkers.

We are living in the future! Enjoy it. Or better yet, help build it by pursuing a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field. The President has held the first-ever White Housescience fairs and Astronomy Night on the South Lawn because he knows these domains are critical to our country's future, and to ensuring the United States continues leading the world in doing big things.

If you do pursue a career in a science, technology, engineering or math-related field, the Force will be with us! Remember, the Death Star's power to destroy a planet, or even a whole star system, is insignificant next to the power of the Force.

Paul Shawcross is Chief of the Science and Space Branch at the White House Office of Management and Budget

Tell us what you think about this response and We the People.

 SOURCE: We The People

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

Could 'Star Wars' Be In Peter Jackson's Future?

Today I had the privilege of sitting down with Peter Jackson for a one-on-one interview at the press junket for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in  New York City, which in unto itself is too geek cool to even think too hard about.

I was on assignment reporting for Access Hollywood, and a much as I would like to immediately detail every single word of what transpired during the interviews with Jackson and the other cast members, the reality of it is I can share only the material that is first posted on their website or broadcast on their shows. So expect bits and pieces of my interviews to pop up here in the next week or so, as they become available.

That said, while I certainly did have the pleasure to chat with the visionary director/writer and producer on all things The Hobbit, I could not in good geek conscience let him go without asking about the upcoming trilogy of Star Wars films, or the planned spin-offs. And frankly, which director has not or will not be asked about them in the next year or so, muck less Peter Jackson?

Would the master of Middle Earth consider crossing over into a galaxy far far away?

“Star Wars? I dunno. I’ve never really thought about it. I’m busy for the next couple of years, he said with a laugh, as he is still has weeks of pick-ups to do for the next two Hobbit films next year. "So I’m off the cards for the next Star Wars film unfortunately.” So scratch off at least Episode VII.

“But, I’ve got huge admiration for what George [Lucas] created. He did what [J.R.R.] Tolkien did, really,” Jackson said. "He created a mythology.

"I don’t know. Someone would have to ask me and I’d have to have a very serious think about it.”

Completing the next two films in the trilogy will conceivably keep Jackson insanely busy, and off the map for outside projects until 2014, when The Hobbit: There And Back Again is released. Star Wars: Episode VII is set for the big screen in 2015, which makes him a possible candidate for Episodes VIII and IX.

Obviously all of this is 150% (or more) fan boy speculation here, but that is the factual timetable as it stands, and now we have an insight into how he feels on the matter.

Hey Disney, all you need to do is ASK HIM!!!

And of course, if any involvement with Star Wars were to move forward, Jackson may be better suited or interested in expanding that universe in one of the off-shoot films, which would give him far more freedom to make his own mark rather than work within the parameters of the sequel trilogy that Lucas has already plotted out.

SOURCE: AccessHollywood.com

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

More From Mark Hamill on 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

ComingSoon.net and E! caught up with Mark Hamill last night at the LA premiere of his new film Sushi Girl, and it goes without saying that an update regarding Star Wars: Episode VII was on the hot topic list.

He doesn't appear to know much about any of the latest developments, or may just be keeping things to himself, but an update is nonetheless an update.

"We have questions about it," Hamill told E! about the next wave of Star Wars films under the new Disney banner, and presumably speaking on behalf of himself and Carrie Fisher, who also met with George Lucas last summer.

"I don't have any information that isn't already out there. And I'm in a place where sometimes I forget what's classified and what's not," Hamill told Comingsoon.net at the same premiere. "I said to my son – because my son is really the Star Wars fanatic in my family, of my three kids – I said, 'How come you know more about Star Wars than me or even Lucasfilm?' He goes, 'Well, Dad, I go to StarWars.com.' He knew about the new writer, Michael Arndt, before I knew about that," he revealed.

As far as exactly what he knows, Hamill isn't admitting to much according to Comingsoon's interview.

"I'm not holding out on you. I just know that nothing's been decided, whether we're in or out. I was surprised at how George announced it, because he told me about this last summer. Not about Disney, but just that they decided after all these years that they were gonna go do VII, VIII, and IX. We were just shocked. But it's so in the early stages… I thought he announced too early. I don't know what the timing was in terms of the Disney deal. But we don't know what's going on really. And when we do, believe me, we'll let you know!"

He also told E! he wasn't sure of what is in store story-wise. "And really, they're not even at the stage where they're able to answer those questions because, as far as I know, is there a story yet?" he continued. Though to answer that question, Lucas has treatments written for an entire new trilogy, so there is story enough in place for announced Episode VII screenwriter Michael Arndt to polish up.

Even though all rumors point to Hamill returning as an elder Luke Skywalker for the planned 2015 sequel to Return of the Jedi, E! asked what he thought about the possibility of re-casting the Tatooine farmboy turned Jedi Knight. "If they were going to do a story where Luke was too young or too old for me to play, they would get an age appropriate actor," said the 61 year-old sci-fi icon. "There's so many good people."

"Until I know more about what they have in mind, I think it's better to let Lucasfilm make the announcements," he said.

SOURCE: Comingsoon.net, E! Online

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

Cross Brad Bird Off That 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Director Wish List

The first round draft of dream directors on the fans lists to helm Star Wars: Episode VII is dwindling fast. Sorry, but we can now officially count Brad Bird out of the running too.

When grilled on his Twitter page, the director behind Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol shot down the talk that he will tackle the first sequel to Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, set to hit the big screen in 2015.

Where do these rumors start concerning Bird? Well, the director has been previously confirmed to direct a "super secret" sci-fi film called 1952 for Disney (which recently purchased Lucasfilm), written by Lost and Prometheus writer Damon Lindelof. Add in the fact that Disney also owns Pixar, and Toy Story 3 scripter Michael Arndt is penning the Episode VII screenplay. In this case there was ample rumor fuel available to throw onto fire that 1952 was a cover, and Bird was in fact instead on board for the Star Wars gig.  

“@rsavenell: You are on people's lists as top choice for Star Wars, yet haven't confirmed. Please end this tease!”Not doing Star Wars.
— Brad Bird (@BradBirdA113) November 18, 2012

“@clarkgoble: tell me your next one is the new Star Wars!”Nope. A science fiction film. Not Star Wars.
— Brad Bird (@BradBirdA113) November 18, 2012

“@geoffbreedwell: You're not doing EP7? Why not? You're perfect for it!”Thanks. But the science fiction film I AM doing is gonna be cool.
— Brad Bird (@BradBirdA113) November 18, 2012

That said, Michael Arndt is a fantastic writer and Kathy Kennedy is a brilliant producer. I will be first in line to see the new STAR WARS.
— Brad Bird (@BradBirdA113) November 18, 2012

Most of us would agree Bird would have been a perfect fit in the Star Wars universe. Although the wait continues, it may not ne much longer. Producer Frank Marshall claims he knows the identity of the chosen one, and obvioulsy is under the strictest orders of secrecy. "I do," he said when asked by MTV, "But I can't reveal it, or I won't be alive tomorrow."

Marshall added that he doesn't know exactly when the director will be announced, but the search is down to "a couple of candidates, but I don't know how soon that will be revealed." Thankfully we can count Marshall as a solid source for information, he married to Kathleen Kennedy, the new head of Lucasfilm and George Lucas's sucessor as Executive Producer to all things Star Wars, including the next slate of films.

SOURCES: Brad Bird Twitter, Collider

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

The Circle Is Complete, Carrie Fisher Wants In For Next 'Star Wars' Trilogy

So we've heard sorta rumblings from Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford regarding their reactions for a return in Star Wars: Episodes VII, VIII, and IX. Last in line to complete the SW Trinity reunion is Carrie Fisher.

OK, not to slight Chewbacca, C-3P0, and R2-D2 on this, but Peter Mayhew reprised his role as the iconic Wookie in Episode III, and Anthony Daniels has been actively portraying C-3P0 in various forms since 1977. Original Trilogy fans are ecstatic at the possibility of finally seeing Luke, Han, and Leia back on the big screen together thirty years after Return of the Jedi, wrinkles and all.

TMZ caught up with our Princess Leia at LAX (caught up with as in stuck a camera in her face), and let loose with their form of assault 'journalism.'  The good news for us is they went right for the Star Wars jugular.

When asked how she felt that Leia is now a Disney Princess, she answered, "Fantastic. Made my day."

As far her response to if she wants to appear in the new Star Wars movie, Episode VII, "Yes, sure. Wouldn't you?" That'a a big 'yes' in my book, knowing she is sworn to secrecy to whatever she knows so far.

Although Mark Hamill revealed to Entertaiment Weekly that he and Fisher met with George Lucas last summer, and the sequel trilogy was indeed discussed, this is the first we have heard from her regarding anything to do with the new films since Disney bought Lucasfilm last week.

Good work TMZ, journalistic integrity be damned.

SOURCE: TMZ

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

Harrison Ford Reportedly Open To The Idea For Returning In New 'Star Wars' Trilogy

Entertainment Weekly scored an interview with Mark Hamill earlier this week, now the magazine has word that Harrison Ford is indeed in the loop and willing to appear in the next wave of Star Wars films set to take place after the events of 1983's Return of the Jedi.

“Harrison is open to the idea of doing the movie and he’s upbeat about it, all three of them are,” a highly placed source told the mag.

In reference to "all three of them," fans will be happy to know that is Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher. Hamill and Fisher met with George Lucas last summer where the director brought up his ideas regarding Star Wars: Episodes VII, VII and IX. 

However, Ford may stipulate in his contract that Han may meet his demise at some point. It's no secret that Solo was originally supposed to be killed off halfway through Return of The Jedi in early drafts of the film, something the actor was not opposed to.

“I thought he should have died in the last one to give it some bottom…George didn’t think there was any future in dead Han toys,” Ford said in an ABC interview from 2010.

“We had an outline and George changed everything in it,” former Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz told the LA Times in 2010. “Instead of bittersweet and poignant he wanted a euphoric ending with everybody happy. The original idea was that they would recover [the kidnapped] Han Solo in the early part of the story and that he would then die in the middle part of the film in a raid on an Imperial base. George then decided he didn’t want any of the principals killed. By that time there were really big toy sales and that was a reason.”

EW reports any further movement on the return of Han Solo still depends on securing the script and director for Episode VII, which is targeted for 2015. Though it wouldn't surprise me to learn down the road that if Harrison Ford indeed reprises the role, it was mainly to give Han the proper poignant death the character was denied in Return of the Jedi. 

Also on the Star Wars update news ticker, Collider reports that Matthew Vaughn is on the short list for the coveted director's chair. The Kick Ass and X-Men: First Class director recently and abruptly dropped out of helming First Class' sequel, X-Men: Days of Future Past.  While he is still producing that film, and has a track record of leaving projects, he does have a lot more time on his hands to be a solid contender. 

This is going to be a story with non-stop rumors, speculation, and updates in the next few months, as it has been since Disney bought Lucasfilm last week. Even though the first new film under the new Disney banner is three years away, the undertaking will require some major things to be set in stone by year's end. Stay tuned...

SOURCES: EW, Collider

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

Mark Hamill Has Discussed New 'Star Wars' Trilogy With George Lucas and Carrie Fisher

Entertainment Weekly caught up with Mark Hamill for his thoughts on the new future of Star Wars as part of the Disney Empire. While he does not know much about the grand plans that lie ahead, what is extremely interesting (and encouraging) is his revelation that he and Carrie Fisher had lunch with George Lucas last summer and discussed  Episodes VII, VIII, and IX.

Here is what Hamill had to say regarding Lucasfilm's purchase by Disney on Monday:

"I had no idea that George was going to sell to Disney until I read it online like everybody else. He did tell us last summer about wanting to go on and do [Episodes] VII, VIII, and IX, and that [newly appointed Lucasfilm president] Kathleen Kennedy would be doing them. He seems to be in a really good place. He’s really happy. And that’s nice because I know that when we were making the movies, he was not a jolly guy on set. [Laughs] I always felt badly for him because he agonizes over details, and I’m sure after imagining it in his head for so many years, to see it realized — he’d look up and just hang his head and groan. Harrison [Ford], Carrie [Fisher], and I were always trying to cheer him up and joke him out of his doom and gloom. I missed his call yesterday, but I spoke to him maybe three weeks ago. But until we know more, it’s hard to make any comment other than congratulations to George."

Hamill reveals that Lucas has been mapping out the path for the third Star Wars trilogy for some time (besides the fact that detailed story treatments have been written),  and has discussed it with both him and his former co-star Carrie Fisher:

Yeah, last August, he asked Carrie and I to have lunch with him and we did. I thought he was going to talk about either his retirement or the Star Wars TV series that I’ve heard about — which I don’t think we were going to be involved in anyway, because that takes place between the prequels and the ones we were in and, if Luke were in them, he’d be anywhere from a toddler to a teenager so they’d get an age-appropriate actor — or the 3-D releases. So when he said, “We decided we’re going to do Episodes VII, VIII, and IX,” I was just gobsmacked. “What? Are you nuts?!” [Laughs] I can see both sides of it. Because in a way, there was a beginning, a middle, and an end and we all lived happily ever after and that’s the way it should be — and it’s great that people have fond memories, if they do have fond memories. But on the other hand, there’s this ravenous desire on the part of the true believers to have more and more and more material. It’s one of those things: people either just don’t care for it or are passionate about it. I guess that defines what cult movies are all about. We’ll see. I’m anxious to know what’s going on, but the main story [yesterday] was the sale to Disney. I have mixed feelings about that, but they haven’t done badly by Marvel and the Muppets and Pixar. It’s one of those big decisions that at first seems unusual but then the more you look at it, the more it makes sense."

Hamill doesn't have much to reveal about the newer films, and even though at the time he was sworn to secrecy, hopefully will have more to share in the coming months.

"Well, no, he was just talking about writers and the fact that he wouldn’t be directing. I guess he wanted us to know before everybody else knew. He said, “Now you can’t tell anybody!” [Laughs] Even now I’m nervous about saying anything. I just don’t know!"

SOURCE: Entertainment Weekly

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

Videos of Darth Vader Visiting Disneyland...

The ink on the contract has barely dried on yesterday's big Lucasfilm purchase by the house of Mouse, and there is already video evidence of Darth Vader dancing through Disneyland. OK, these are not actually brand new videos, but commercials for Star Tours, which has been a co-production between Lucasfilm and Disney running in the theme parks for years. The original spot has been updated to reflect the recent new Alliance.

But no better time than today to get them out there again...

SOURCE: Disney Parks

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel

Disney Buys Lucasfilm For $4.05 Billion... Sets 'Star Wars: Episode VII' For 2015

In a surprise announcement by Disney, the House Of Mouse acquired Lucasfilm for $4.05 Billion, encompassing all of its properties, Lucasfilm Ltd., LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound. The deal also obviously includes the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Under the new regime, a slate of Star Wars features will be produced. "Star Wars Episode 7" has been announced, with a targeted 2015 release.

With the title "Episode 7," it is implied, if not assumed that the next film would take place chronologically after 1983's Return of The Jedi. Do you hear that Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford?? The prospect of Mark Hamill returning as an elder Luke Skywalker, by this time a Master Jedi Knight, is extremely exciting to any Star Wars fan. Lucas in fact revealed today he has story treatments for an entire new trilogy, now in development with Kathleen Kennedy serving as Executive Producer.

"For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next," said George Lucas in today's press release.

"It's now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I've always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime," he said.

"I'm confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney's reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products."

With the general disappointment felt by fans regarding the Star Wars prequels, all written and dircted by George Lucas, the fact that he is now stepping aside and letting fresh blood to take the reigns of the franchise may very well be a great thing.

Cartoon Network's animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars is proof positive of the potential an off-shoot series can have when Lucas is not directly steering the ship. With Lucas now in a Creative Consultant role, having new writers and directors in the mix provides exciting potential for the future of the franchise for those of us who have been put off by the last three big screen installments.

"We are absolutely going to make Star Wars movies," said Kathleen Kennedy, co-chair of Lucasfilm, in a video interview.

"We are in the midst of the really fun part of the process which is we are sitting down with a couple of writers and we're starting to discuss ideas and we're starting to talk about what those stories might be," she said.

In the video below, Lucas explains his thoughts behind Star Wars' future with Disney, and reveals he already has story treatments for Episodes VII, VIII, and IX.

Disney also bought Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 Billion, and is in charge of all the big screen Marvel Studios films, which includes The Avengers and all the upcoming Marvel Phase Two films, Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Guardians of the Galaxy. So any initial fear of what Disney may do with Star Wars can be put at ease, they seem to be allowing the proper people to handle these properties.


Highlights from Disney's Press Release:

Burbank, CA and San Francisco, CA, October 30, 2012 – Continuing its strategy of delivering exceptional creative content to audiences around the world, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm Ltd. in a stock and cash transaction. Lucasfilm is 100% owned by Lucasfilm Chairman and Founder, George Lucas.

"Lucasfilm reflects the extraordinary passion, vision, and storytelling of its founder, George Lucas," said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company. "This transaction combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney's unique and unparalleled creativity across multiple platforms, businesses, and markets to generate sustained growth and drive significant long-term value." 

"For the past 35 years, one of my greatest pleasures has been to see Star Wars passed from one generation to the next," said George Lucas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lucasfilm. "It's now time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers. I've always believed that Star Wars could live beyond me, and I thought it was important to set up the transition during my lifetime. I'm confident that with Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, and having a new home within the Disney organization, Star Wars will certainly live on and flourish for many generations to come. Disney's reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products." 

Under the deal, Disney will acquire ownership of Lucasfilm, a leader in entertainment, innovation and technology, including its massively popular and "evergreen" Star Warsfranchise and its operating businesses in live action film production, consumer products, animation, visual effects, and audio post production. Disney will also acquire the substantial portfolio of cutting-edge entertainment technologies that have kept audiences enthralled for many years. Lucasfilm, headquartered in San Francisco, operates under the names Lucasfilm Ltd., LucasArts, Industrial Light & Magic, and Skywalker Sound, and the present intent is for Lucasfilm employees to remain in their current locations.

Kathleen Kennedy, current Co-Chairman of Lucasfilm, will become President of Lucasfilm, reporting to Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn. Additionally she will serve as the brand manager for Star Wars, working directly with Disney's global lines of business to build, further integrate, and maximize the value of this global franchise. Ms. Kennedy will serve as executive producer on new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant. Star Wars Episode 7 is targeted for release in 2015, with more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future. 

The acquisition combines two highly compatible family entertainment brands, and strengthens the long-standing beneficial relationship between them that already includes successful integration of Star Wars content into Disney theme parks in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris and Tokyo. 

Driven by a tremendously talented creative team, Lucasfilm's legendary Star Warsfranchise has flourished for more than 35 years, and offers a virtually limitless universe of characters and stories to drive continued feature film releases and franchise growth over the long term. Star Wars resonates with consumers around the world and creates extensive opportunities for Disney to deliver the content across its diverse portfolio of businesses including movies, television, consumer products, games and theme parks. Star Wars feature films have earned a total of $4.4 billion in global box to date, and continued global demand has made Star Wars one of the world's top product brands, and Lucasfilm a leading product licensor in the United States in 2011. The franchise provides a sustainable source of high quality, branded content with global appeal and is well suited for new business models including digital platforms, putting the acquisition in strong alignment with Disney's strategic priorities for continued long-term growth.

The Lucasfilm acquisition follows Disney's very successful acquisitions of Pixar and Marvel, which demonstrated the company's unique ability to fully develop and expand the financial potential of high quality creative content with compelling characters and storytelling through the application of innovative technology and multiplatform distribution on a truly global basis to create maximum value. Adding Lucasfilm to Disney's portfolio of world class brands significantly enhances the company's ability to serve consumers with a broad variety of the world's highest-quality content and to create additional long-term value for our shareholders.

SOURCE: Disney

Follow @NerdyRScoundrel